When decaying properties become a drag on southern Dallas
neighborhoods, plenty of people are quick to blame City Hall. Of
course, Dallas officials are responsible for issuing citations,
pursuing litigation and enforcing the law. But the eyesore epidemic
in southern Dallas is exacerbated by absentee property owners who
are quite content to let the city clean up their mess. Also
Online

The latest map

06/11/09: 10 drops update

05/1/09: 10 drops update

04/1/09: 10 drops update

03/11/09: 10 drops update

02/13/09: 10 drops update

01/23/09: 10 drops update

10/5/08: 10 drops update

9/1/08: 10 drops update

7/13/08: 10 drops update

2/29/08: 10 drops update

12/17/07: Introducing 10 drops

The project: Bridging Dallas' North-South Gap

What's The Big Story? Find out at dallasnews.com/opinion

Blog: Southern Dallas

Blog: Opinion

As a result, time and resources are wasted on paying city
employees to return to neglected and abandoned properties again and
again to mow, scrub graffiti and shoo squatters away. If these
do-nothing landlords could be compelled to provide even minimal
maintenance, taxpayer dollars could be used more effectively.

Each month, this newspaper spotlights opportunities for
improvement in southern Dallas. Today, we offer updates for these
10 drops in the bucket: Problem No. 1: ↔

The burned-out, boarded-up house with a tree collapsed on the
roof and a weed jungle for a yard could keep the code inspector
assigned to Navaro Street occupied for months. The property is a
hazard - and a serious concern for the congregation that plans to
move into the church next door.

The update: Officials from code compliance and the city
attorney's office are considering demolishing the structure.

The next step: The bulldozers can't come soon enough. Drug users
have camped out in what's left of the tumbledown house. Problem No.
2: ↓

The vacant grocery store sitting on more than four acres along
South Polk Street is both a huge waste of real estate and a
nuisance for the city, which continues to clean up graffiti and
weeds on the property.

The update: A new batch of unwanted advertisements has been
plastered across the storefront, and broken glass litters the
parking lot.

The next step: The city once again has put the property on its
graffiti removal list. But a developer with a vision is needed to
provide a permanent fix. Problem No. 3: ↑

When a fire ripped through an apartment complex on Navajo Drive,
the owners walked away. They ignored a demolition order and allowed
trash to pile up for months outside the scorched remains of the
building.

The update: The city stepped in after the owners dropped the
ball. Asbestos abatement began this week.

The next step: Once the asbestos is gone, the bulldozers will
arrive on the scene. The lot should be clean by month's end.
Problem No. 4: ↔

The empty church on Ewing Avenue has morphed from a house of
worship into a neighborhood nuisance, attracting litter and
drugs.

The update: Aside from the phone directory that was left on the
front steps, there are no signs of life - or improvement. Weeds and
trash are recurring problems.

The next step: Code officials have referred this case to the
city attorney's office and will re-evaluate its status this month.
Problem No. 5: ↔

The Dallas Inn has been on death row for months, marked for
demolition but still standing. For too long, the motel on South
Marsalis was crime-ridden, rodent-infested and
code-compliance-challenged.

The update: The buildings have been gutted; the property is
fenced off. The wait continues.

The next step: The wrecking crew should put this shell of a
structure out of its misery and knock it down. Problem No. 6:
↓

Neighbors have grown frustrated with the not-so-clean car wash
on Sunnyvale Street, where drinking and drugs have been
evident.

The update: Most of the car-wash bays were empty on a recent
afternoon, but a crowd had gathered to hang out behind the
business.

The next step: If the owner is unwilling to call a halt to
loitering, perhaps the police will take notice. Problem No. 7:
↑ How to read the symbols

√= Work complete

↑= Progress

↔= Stalled out

↓= Worsening

X = Coming off the list

Need help in your neighborhood?

We're interested in the relatively small problems that cause big
headaches in southern Dallas neighborhoods. Send your ideas for
"drops in the bucket" to southerndallas@dallasnews.com.

The city has launched a full-court press near Alabama Avenue and
McVey Street in an effort to combat drugs, illegal dumping and code
violations. Police and code officers pay frequent visits to the
area.

The update: The owners of a house ravaged by fire have been
ordered to repair the property by Aug. 12.

The next step: The code department is tackling eight litter and
mowing cases in the neighborhood this week. But cleaning up this
area is a continuing challenge. Problem No. 8: ↓

The structure on Comal Street appears to be held together by
little more than plywood and string. Calling it a house would be
generous.

The update: The abandoned residence has been stripped to the
studs and has code notices tacked up on what once was the front
door.

The next step: This eyesore has been referred to the city
attorney's office for demolition. Problem No. 9: ↔

Dozens of cars in various states of disrepair cram into the auto
shop lot on East Red Bird Lane.

The update: Criminal citations have been issued, and code
officials have contacted the owner to discuss complaints of illegal
land use.

The next step: If the property owner can't be bothered to comply
with Dallas ordinances, the city will pursue litigation. Problem
No. 10: ↑

The vacant lot at the edge of the Bishop Arts District serves as
a reminder that the neighborhoods surrounding this hip area still
could use some sprucing up.

The update: It's still a relatively useless grass patch, but the
property appears recently mowed and relatively clean.

The next step: Now, the property's owners just need a plan to
turn this lot into more than untamed green space.